Apparatus and method for removing materials from a material collection container

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for removing material collected in a material collection container having a floor and at least one substantially vertically extending wall. The apparatus includes a material removal assembly for removing material collected in the material collection container. The material removal assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduit to permit the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit each have a longitudinal axis. The material removal assembly further includes at least one material removal header configured to receive material accumulating on the floor of the material collection container. The material removal assembly is preferably configured to enhance numerous aspects of the sludge removal process.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method forremoving material from a material collection container. The material maybe any form of impurity including a fluid, a solid or a combinationthereof. In the most preferred form, the present invention is directedto an apparatus and method for removing sludge from a sludge collectioncontainer. The sludge collection container may include one or moremembers designed to settle sludge from water or wastewater including butnot limited to settling plates or settling tubes. The present inventionmay be used in containers having other structures that wouldintentionally or inadvertently cause impurities to collect in thecontainers and where it is beneficial to remove the collected impuritiesfrom the containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Filter or clarification systems have employed various devices to removeimpurities from water and/or wastewater for a number of years. In thesetypes of filter systems, settling systems are often used to removeimpurities from a liquid. Plates or tubes are commonly used todrastically reduce the footprint of prior clarification systems thatmerely included an open basin. The plates or tubes are commonly mountedat fixed angles to the surface of the liquid to form a plurality ofliquid flow channels. The fixed angle of the plates or tubes createsoverlapping, horizontally projected surfaces that increase the effectivesettling surface area compared to an open basin. The increased effectivesettling surface area is desirable as filtering or clarificationcapacity is proportional to surface area.

The liquid to be filtered is directed through the plurality of liquidflow channels to cause the impurities to settle downwardly at the lowerportion of a detention basin or sludge collection area. The liquid to befiltered can travel upwardly or downwardly through the plurality ofliquid flow channels during the filtration or clarification process. Asthe liquid flows upwardly or downwardly through the inclined liquid flowpassageways, the impurities settle out of the liquid being filtered andaccumulate in the lower portion of the detention basin or collectionarea. It is desirable to periodically remove the impurities from thecollection container.

Previously, flexible hoses have been used to remove impurities from oneor more header pipes designed to collect impurities accumulating in adetention basin or collection container. Sludge removal systemsemploying flexible hoses have a number of disadvantages. Several ofthese disadvantages are explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,620. Therefore,some sludge removal systems have been designed without flexible hoses.These systems are often referred to as hoseless sludgeremoval/collection systems. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,497,249; 6,951,620;7,021,472; and 7,169,312 disclose sludge removal systems of the hoselesstype. However, these systems have inherent disadvantages due to theirdesigns. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,249 discloses an overlycomplex system. In one embodiment, two travelling trolleys 5 and 5 a arerequired. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, anoverly complex drive system and traveling trolley configuration areemployed in an attempt to remove sludge accumulating in a materialcollection container.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,951,620; 7,021,472; and 7,169,312 disclose a sludgeremoval system that employs two telescoping conduits disposed directlyadjacent the bottom of a detention basin or collection container. Thelarger of the two telescoping conduits moves between two opposing endwalls of the basin. The movement of the larger conduit is impeded by thesludge accumulated in the lower portion of the detention basin orcollection container, due to the position of the telescoping conduitsrelative to the removal headers and the sludge accumulating in thedetention basin or collection area. Further, there is no means by whichsludge can be collected in one of the two header pipes independent ofthe other header pipe. Moreover, the proximity of the two header pipesto the floor of the detention basin or collection container is limitedby the size of the diameter of the larger conduit as the longitudinalaxis of the two header pipes intersects the longitudinal axis of thelarger conduit of the two telescoping conduits. In addition, the headerpipes are fixed to one of the two telescoping pipes in such a manner asto prevent the header pipes from moving in a vertical direction relativeto the two telescoping pipes preventing the vertical orientation of theheader pipes to be readily adjusted during operation to compensate forfloor surfaces that are not level.

Hence, there is a need for a material removal system that overcomes theaforementioned disadvantages as well as other disadvantages notarticulated above.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobviousapparatus and method for removing material from a detention basin orcollection area.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a material removal system that is free of flexible hoses.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto provide a material removal system that is designed to permit one ormore collection headers to be positioned in close proximity of the floorof a detention basin or collection area.

Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is to provide a material removal system that employs aplurality of collection headers and is configured to allow sludge to beremoved from at least one collection header independent from at leastone other collection header.

Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto provide a material removal system that includes at least first andsecond telescoping conduits with the first conduit being movablerelative to the second conduit and the first conduit being disposed suchthat sludge collection in the lower portion of the collection basin doesnot retard movement of the first conduit but allows the at least oneheader operably connected to the first conduit to be disposed in closeproximity to the floor of the collection basin.

Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is to provide a cost effective material removal system that isrelatively easy to install and operate to effectively and efficientlyremove material from a material collection container.

Yet still another object of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is to provide a material removal system having a supportassembly that permits movement of one or more collection components ofthe material removal system to permit efficient and effective removal ofmaterial collected in all portions of the material collection container.

Yet a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis to provide a material removal system having at least one header andat least one conduit and means for facilitating movement of materialfrom the at least one header to the at least one conduit.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a material removal system that includes at least first andsecond telescoping conduits with the first conduit being movablerelative to the second conduit and a sludge collection header operablyassociated with the first and second conduits to permit said sludgecollection header to mover relative to both the first and secondconduits to accommodates for irregularities in the collection containeror detention basin.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isto provide a material removal system that includes at least first andsecond telescoping conduits and a fluid drive system for moving thefirst conduit relative to the second conduit to effectively andefficiently remove sludge in a collection container or detention basin.

It must be understood that no one embodiment of the present inventionneed include all of the aforementioned objects of the present invention.Rather, a given embodiment may include one or none of the aforementionedobjects. Accordingly, these objects are not to be used to limit thescope of the claims of the present invention.

In summary, one preferred embodiment of the present invention isdirected to an apparatus for removing material collected in a materialcollection container having a floor and at least one substantiallyvertically extending wall The apparatus includes a material removalassembly for removing material collected in the material collectioncontainer. The material removal assembly includes a first conduit and asecond conduit. The first conduit is in telescoping relationship withthe second conduit to permit the first conduit to move relative to thesecond conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit each have alongitudinal axis. The material removal assembly further includes afirst material removal header configured to receive materialaccumulating on the floor of the material collection container and asecond material removal header configured to receive materialaccumulating on the floor of the material collection container. Thefirst material removal header is spaced from the second material removalheader along the longitudinal axis of the first conduit. The firstmaterial removal header and the second material removal header areconfigured to direct material received by the first removal header andthe second removal header into the first conduit. The first materialremoval header and the second material removal header each have alongitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the firstmaterial removal header and the second material removal header isdisposed below the longitudinal axis of the first conduit.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to anapparatus for removing sludge collected in a sludge collection containerhaving a floor and at least one substantially vertically extending wall.The apparatus includes a sludge removal assembly for removing sludgecollected in the sludge collection container. The sludge removalassembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit. The firstconduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduit to permitthe first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. The sludgeremoval assembly further includes a first sludge removal headerconfigured to receive sludge accumulating on the floor of the sludgecollection container and a second sludge removal header configured toreceive sludge accumulating on the floor of the sludge collectioncontainer. The first sludge removal header is spaced from the secondsludge removal header along a longitudinal axis of the first conduit.The first sludge removal header and the second sludge removal header isconfigured to direct sludge received by the first sludge removal headerand the second sludge removal header into the first conduit. The sludgeremoval assembly is configured such that the first sludge removal headerand the second sludge removal header are at least partially disposed insludge collected in the sludge collection container and the firstconduct is disposed above the sludge collected in the sludge collectioncontainer so that movement of the first conduct relative to the secondconduit is not retarded by sludge in the sludge collection containerprior to entry of the sludge into the sludge removal assembly.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed toan apparatus for removing material collected in a material collectioncontainer having a floor and at least one substantially verticallyextending wall. The apparatus includes a material removal assembly forremoving material collected in the material collection container. Thematerial removal assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit.The first conduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduitto permit the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. Thematerial removal assembly further includes a first material removalheader configured to receive material accumulating on the floor of thematerial collection container and a second material removal headerconfigured to receive material accumulating on the floor of the materialcollection container. The first material removal header is spaced fromthe second material removal header along a longitudinal axis of thefirst conduit. The first material removal header and the second materialremoval header are configured to direct material received by the firstmaterial removal header and the second material removal header into thefirst conduit. The material removal assembly further includes a materialflow control member for preventing material received by at least one ofthe first material removal header and the second material removal headerfrom passing into the first conduit.

Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directedto an apparatus for removing material collected in a material collectioncontainer having a floor and at least one substantially verticallyextending wall. The apparatus includes a material removal assembly forremoving material collected in the material collection container. Thematerial removal assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit.The first conduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduitto permit the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. Thematerial removal assembly further includes a first material removalheader configured to receive material accumulating on the floor of thematerial collection container. The first material removal header isconfigured to direct material received by the first material removalheader into the first conduit. The first material removal header isconfigured to move with the first conduit. The first material removalheader includes means for facilitating movement of material received bythe first material removal header into the first conduit.

Still a further preferred embodiment of the present invention isdirected to an apparatus for removing material collected in a materialcollection container having a floor and first and second end walls. Theapparatus includes a material removal assembly for removing materialcollected in the material collection container. The material removalassembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit. The firstconduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduit to permitthe first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. The materialremoval assembly further includes a first material removal headerconfigured to receive material accumulating on the floor of the materialcollection container. The first material removal header is configured todirect material received by the first material removal header into thefirst conduit. The first material removal header is configured to movewith the first conduit. The material removal assembly further includes asupport member configured to extend between the first and second endwalls of the material collection container. The support member has afirst end and a second end. The first material removal header isconfigured to ride along the support member when the first materialremoval header travels between the first and second end walls of thematerial collection container. The support member is spaced from thefirst conduit and the second conduit.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed toan apparatus for removing material collected in a material collectioncontainer having a floor and at least one substantially verticallyextending wall. The apparatus includes a material removal assembly forremoving material collected in the material collection container. Thematerial removal assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit.The first conduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduitto permit the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. Thematerial removal assembly further includes a first material removalheader configured to receive material accumulating on the floor of thematerial collection container. The first material removal header isconfigured to direct material received by the first material removalheader into the first conduit. The material removal assembly furtherincludes means for positioning the first material removal header abovethe floor of the material collection header and in close proximity ofthe floor of the material collection header.

Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directedto an apparatus for removing material collected in a material collectioncontainer having a floor and at least one substantially verticallyextending wall. The apparatus includes a material removal assembly forremoving material collected in the material collection container. Thematerial removal assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit.The first conduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduitto permit the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. Thematerial removal assembly further includes a first material removalheader configured to receive material accumulating on the floor of thematerial collection container. The first material removal header isconfigured to direct material received by the first material removalheader into the first conduit. The first material removal header isoperably connected to the first conduit to cause the first materialremoval header to move with the first conduit in a first direction andallow the first material removal header to move relative to the firstconduit in a second direction.

Still yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention isdirected to an apparatus for removing material collected in a materialcollection container having a floor and at least one substantiallyvertically extending wall. The apparatus includes a material removalassembly for removing material collected in the material collectioncontainer. The material removal assembly includes a first conduit and asecond conduit. The first conduit is in telescoping relationship withthe second conduit to permit the first conduit to move relative to thesecond conduit. The material removal assembly further includes a firstmaterial removal header configured to receive material accumulating onthe floor of the material collection container and a second materialremoval header configured to receive material accumulating on the floorof the material collection container. The first material removal headeris spaced from the second material removal header along the longitudinalaxis of the first conduit. The first material removal header and thesecond material removal header is configured to direct material receivedby the first removal header and the second removal header into the firstconduit. The material removal assembly further includes a fluid drivefor moving the first conduit relative to the second conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showingthe sludge removal assembly in the fully retracted position.

FIG. 4 is fragmentary cross-sectional view of portion 4-4 indicated indashed lines in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternative form forthe portion illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a further alternativeform for the portion illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is fragmentary cross-sectional view of another preferred form ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further preferred form ofthe present invention with one sidewall of the material collectioncontainer removed to permit other components to be readily observed.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-section view of a portion of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 with the floor of the materialcollection container removed so that other components may be readilyobserved.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged and exploded fragmentary perspective view of aportion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view a further preferredform of a portion of material removal system.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view a further preferredform of a portion of material removal system.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view a further preferredform of a portion of material removal system.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view a further preferredform of a portion of material removal system.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further preferred form ofthe present invention with one sidewall of the material collectioncontainer removed to permit other components to be readily observed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred forms of the invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1-22. The appended claims are not limited to thepreferred forms and no term and/or phrase used herein is to be given ameaning other than its ordinary meaning unless it is expressly statedotherwise.

FIGS. 1 Through 7

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a settling system A employing a preferredform of the invention is illustrated in one of many possibleconfigurations. In the most preferred form, the material being removedfrom the settling system A is sludge. Settling system A includes amaterial container B. The material container may include one or moresettling assemblies (not shown) having a plurality of inclinedpassageways in which an influent to be filtered or clarified is passed.The plurality of inclined passageways may be formed for example by aplurality of plates or tubes. As the influent passes through theinclined passageways of the one or more settling assemblies impuritiesin the influent settle and collect on the floor 2 of the materialcollection container B. Material removal system C periodically removesthe impurities from material container B. It should be noted that thepresent invention is not limited to use in settling systems but rathercan be used in any system in which it is desirable to remove materialcollecting in a container or basin. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the materialcollection container B is shown as being formed from concrete and havinga rectangular configuration with end walls 4 and 6 and side walls 8 and10. However, it will be readily appreciated that material collectioncontainer B may be formed from any suitable material and may take anydesired configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, material removal system C includes first andsecond conduits 12 and 14. Preferably, conduits 12 and 14 aresubstantially cylindrical and formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material(e.g., PVC, stainless steel or other suitable material). Conduits 12 and14 have a telescoping relationship such that conduit 12 is movablebetween a fully extended position show in FIG. 1 and a fully retractedposition shown in FIG. 3 while conduit 14 is fixed relative to materialcollection container B. Any suitable drive system may be used forextending and retracting conduit 12 including but not limited to thecable drive system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,620. The drivesystem can be mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or any combinationthereof.

Two material collection headers 16 are preferably connected to conduit12. However, only one or more than two collection headers may beconnected to conduit 12. Each of the material collection headers 16include at least one opening for receiving material collected incontainer B. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, collection headers 16 areconnected to conduit 12 so that headers 16 move with conduit 12. Themanner of connecting each of the collection headers 16 to the undersideof conduit 12 is preferably the same. Specifically, a T-shaped coupler18 is connected to a hollow collar 19 extending downwardly from theunderside of conduit 12. Preferably, the connection of conduit 12 tocollar 19 and the connection of collar 19 to T-shaped coupler 18 isfluid tight and may be achieved in any known manner. Collection conduits20 and 22 are connected preferably in a fluid tight manner to ends 24and 26 of T-shaped coupler 18. Collection conduits 20 and 22 preferablyhave a plurality of openings (not shown) uniformly spaced along thelength of the respective conduit and disposed directly adjacent floor 2of container B to receive material collected in container B. It shouldbe noted that collar 19 may be omitted by directly connecting T-shapedcoupler 18 to the underside of conduit 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, T-shaped coupler 18 has a notch or recess 28 thatextends the entire length of the underside of T-shaped coupler 18. Thenotch or recess preferably forms two interior, inclined, planar surfaces21 and 23 as means for facilitating movement of material collected byconduits 20 and 22 upwardly into conduit 12. A friction reduction member30 is disposed in notch or recess 28 and includes a slot or otheropening for receiving an upper portion of center support rail 32. Thefriction reduction member 30 is formed from a polymeric material and isfixed to T-shaped coupler 18 so that the friction reduction member 30cannot move relative to T-shaped coupler 18 or conduit 12. As theconduit 12 moves between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, thefriction reduction member 30 facilitates that movement by reducing thefriction between center rail 32 and both T-shaped couplers 18 associatedwith each of the collection headers 16.

Preferably, center rail 32 is bolted or otherwise secured to the floor 2of container B. However, it will be readily appreciated that center rail32 may be fixed in place by securing it to other portions of containerB.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a seal 34 is positioned in end 36 of conduit12. Seal 34 surrounds conduit 14 and is movable along conduit 14 asconduit 12 travels between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.Side rails 38 and 40 may be used in place of or in addition to centerrail 32. Side rails 38 and 40 preferably extend substantially the entirelength of side walls 8 and 10 respectively. Rollers 42 or other members(e.g., runners or skids) may be attached to each of the ends of headers16 to engage the corresponding side rail to facilitate movement ofconduit 12 and headers 16 between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1and 3. Rollers 42 may be formed from any suitable material including butnot limited to a polymeric material.

The preferred material removal process will now be described. A vacuumpump or other means for creating a negative pressure differential isconnected to the end of conduit 14 located outside of the container Bwhen the material removal system C is in the position illustrated inFIG. 3. This will cause sludge or other material collected on the floor2 of container B to flow into the headers 16. The sludge then flows intoconduit 12 and subsequently into conduit 14 and out of container B.Conduit 12 may then be moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 by achain drive or other means to the position shown in FIG. 1. Material maybe collected the entire time the drive system is operating. In thismanner, material can be uniformly collected from the floor 2 ofcontainer B. Alternatively, the conduit 12 may be moved a predetermineddistance by the drive system while the vacuum pump is off. Once theconduit 12 has traveled the predetermined distance, the vacuum pump canbe turned on to resume the material collection and removal process. Thisprocedure can be repeated as many times as desired until conduit 12assumes the position illustrated in FIG. 3. Either of the above twocollection procedures can be performed when the conduit 12 is movingfrom the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3. Inaddition, the sludge collection and removal process may commence withthe conduit in any position between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1and 3.

The configuration in FIGS. 1 through 4 allows headers 16 to be partiallyor completed submerged in the material collected on the floor 2 ofcontainer B while conduit 12 remains above the uppermost portion of thematerial collected in container B so that the material collected incontainer B does not act to retard or otherwise hamper movement ofconduit 12 between end walls 4 and 6. It should be noted that collar 19can be configured to be readily removed and replaced with a collarhaving a different height to readily vary the position of headers 16relative to conduits 12 and 14. By attaching center rail 32 to headers16 in the corresponding notches 28, the headers are able to bepositioned in close proximity to the floor 2 of container B.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate additional means for positioning headers 16 inclose proximity to floor 2. As seen in FIG. 5, center rail 32 can beembedded in floor 2 of container B. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6,rail 32 may be positioned in a recessed portion 44 formed in floor 2 ofcontainer B. Recessed portion 44 may extend substantially the length offloor 2 between end walls 4 and 6 or any portion thereof.

Referring to FIG. 7, an isolation valve 46 may be provided between eachheader 16 and conduit 12 to control the flow of material from eachheader 16 to conduit 12. By merely manipulating the two isolation valves46 material may flow from either one of headers 16 to conduit 12 whilematerial is prevented from flowing from the other header to conduit 12.Alternatively, material may flow simultaneously from both headers toconduit 12. Isolation valve 46 can be a wafer style butterfly valve, afully ported ball valve, a diaphragm valve or needle valve. The twoisolation valves 46 may be activated in any acceptable manner includingpneumatic and hydro-pneumatic activation.

FIGS. 8 to 22

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 18, another preferred form of the invention willnow be described. It should be noted that a number of similarities existbetween this embodiment and previously described embodiments. Use of thesame reference numerals and letters will signify common components ofthe embodiments.

Material removal system D periodically removes the impurities frommaterial container B. Referring to FIG. 8, material removal system Dincludes first and second conduits 52 and 54. Preferably, conduits 52and 54 are substantially cylindrical and formed from a rigid orsemi-rigid material (e.g., PVC, stainless steel or other suitablematerial). Conduits 52 and 54 have a telescoping relationship such thatconduit 52 is movable between a fully extended position where materialcollection header 56 is positioned adjacent end wall 6 and a fullyretracted position where material collection header 58 is positionedadjacent end wall 4. It should be noted that although not shown in FIG.8, conduit 54 extends out of container B much like conduit 14 in thepreviously described embodiments. The position of conduit 54 is fixedrelative to container B. Any suitable drive system may be used forextending and retracting conduit 52 including but not limited to thecable drive system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,620. The drivesystem can be mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or any combinationthereof. However, in the most preferred form of the present invention afluid drive is used move conduit 52 between the fully extended and fullyretracted positions.

Collection headers 56 and 58 are connected to conduit 52 to move alongfloor 2 of container B as conduit 52 moves between the fully extendedand fully retracted positions. While two collection headers are shownonly one or more than two collection headers may be connected to conduit52. Each of the material collection headers 56 and 58 include one ormore openings oriented directly adjacent floor 2 for receiving materialcollected in container B. Conduits 52 and 54 may be formed from aplurality of interconnected segments. On manner of connecting adjoiningsegments of conduits 52 and 54 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. Acoupler 60 connects adjoining segments 62 and 64. Coupler 60 includestwo sets of circumferentially spaced raised lugs 66 (only one set oflugs are shown) are received in two corresponding slots 68 formed ineach segment 62 and 64. Coupler 60 may include a gasket 70 to ensurethat the adjoining segments are fully sealed. Guides 74 may be used tomaintain conduit 54 in a desired coaxial orientation with conduit 52. Aplurality of rivets 76 or other fasteners may be used to connect coupler60 to segments 62 and 64.

Referring to FIG. 8, isolation valves 46 may be used to independentlycontrol the flow of material through collection headers 56 and 58 asmore specifically described in the prior embodiments. Referring to FIGS.9 and 10, the free end of conduit 52 includes an elbow or bent segment78 having a coupling flange 80. Conduit 52 further includes an outervertically extending segment 82 and an inner vertically extendingsegment 84. Segment 82 includes a coupling flange 86 that is fixed tocoupling flange 80 via bolts 88. A seal 90 is fixed between flanges 80and 86. The lower end of segment 84 is connected to header 56 so thatmaterial can flow from header 56 into segment 84 and down throughconduit 52 to conduit 54 and ultimately out of container B. Segment 84is adapted to move in a vertical direction relative to segment 82 sothat the header 56 can be raised or lowered relative to floor 2 tocompensate for irregularities in the container B (e.g., un-level floor).The relative movement between segments 82 and 84 may be controlled by acoil spring 92 mounted between flanges 94 and 96. Flange 94 may beconnected to either segment 82 or 84 provided flange 96 is connected tothe other segment. The spring may be replaced by any suitable dampingmember. A seal 98 formed from polymeric material may be used to seal thefree end of conduit 52 and further regulate relative movement ofsegments 82 and 84. As shown in FIG. 21, the flanges 94 and 96 and coilspring 92 can be mounted externally. Referring to FIG. 19, segment 84may be provided with a shaped flange 93 that is configured to passupwardly into segment 82 through correspondingly shaped flange 95 whensegments 82 and 84 are aligned as shown in FIG. 19. Segment 82 can bereadily connected to segment 84 by merely twisting segment 84 ninetydegrees from the position shown in FIG. 19.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10 and 12 to 14, header 56 includes a notch orrecess 28 having the attributes and advantages discussed in the priorembodiments. An insert 100 is disposed in and extends from each side ofrecess 28. The insert 100 includes a protective cover 102 mounted over afriction reducing member 104. Cover 102 may be connected to frictionreducing member 104 by any suitable fastener including but not limitedto screws 106. Friction reducing member 104 may be formed from apolymeric material or other suitable material. Member 104 includes aslot 108 for receiving horizontally extending member 110 of center rail112. Center rail 112 is fixed to floor 2 by bolts or other suitablefasteners. It should be noted that center rail 112 may be embedded infloor 2 in a similar manner to that illustrated in FIG. 5.Alternatively, center rail 112 may be disposed in a recess in floor 2 asillustrated in FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a side rail 114 maybe provided adjacent each side wall of container B. Where side rails 114are used, adjacent ends of headers 56 and 58 may be provided with afriction reducing member 116 to facilitate movement on side rail 114.

Referring to FIG. 11, header 58 is connected to conduit 52 in a similarmanner as header 56. Conduit 52 further includes two outer verticallyextending segments 118 and 120 are connected in a similar manner assegments 78 and 82. An inner segment 121 (see FIG. 8) identical tosegment 84 is movably connected to segment 120 in the same mane assegment 84 is movably connected to segment 82. The lower end of theinner segment 121 is connected to header 58. A seal 122 seals end 124 ofconduit 52 about conduit 54.

Referring to FIG. 18, where a fluid drive system is used to move conduit52 between end walls 4 and 6, a solid disk shaped flow preventer 126 ispositioned above each of the inner movable segments 84 and 121 that arelocated adjacent headers 56 and 58. A fluid source may be connected tothe external end of conduit 54 (i.e., the end outside of the containerB) to supply a fluid (liquid or gas) to conduit 54. The fluid passesthrough conduit 54 into conduit 52 which in turn causes members 126 toseat in a fluid tight manner on the corresponding segments 84 and 121.As the fluid pressure builds up in conduits 52 and 54, conduit 52 isforced to move along conduit 54 toward end wall 6. In this mannerconduit 52 can be moved forward (i.e., toward end wall 6) by anypredetermined amount. It should be noted that the head of liquid storedin container B is preferably sufficient to unseat members 126 fromcorresponding segments 84 and 121 to permit sludge to pass from headers56 and 58 into conduit 52. Therefore, once fluid is no longer beingsupplied to conduit 54 and conduit 52 member 126 resumes the positionshown in FIG. 18. Material is removed from container B in thisembodiment in a similar manner to that described in the priorembodiments, i.e., a vacuum pump or other means creates a negativepressure differential in conduits 52 and 54 causing material to passthrough headers 56 and 58 and through conduits 52 and 54 to exitcontainer B. Negative pressure differential can also be used to retractconduit 52.

Referring to FIG. 20, a fluid drive system E external to conduits 52 and54 may be used to extend and retract conduit 52. Fluid drive system Eincludes two telescoping members 127 and 129 connected. Element 127 isconfigured to move between an extended and retracted position. Element127 is connected to conduit 52 by arm 130. A fluid can be supplied toconduit 129 and in turn conduit 127 to cause conduit 127 to move towarda fully extended position which in turn cases conduit 52 to move towardan extended position. A negative pressure differential may be used toretract conduit 52. Guide 131 is fixed to conduit 52 but movablerelative to conduits 127 and 129. Guide 131 acts to support conduit 129while some portion of guide 129 is positioned above guide 131.

Referring to FIG. 22, a further alternative embodiment is illustrated.In this embodiment outer conduit 150 is slidably mounted on two innerconduits 152 and 154 extending from end walls 4 and 6 respectively. Theends of conduits 152 and 154 located in conduit 150 are spaced from eachother. A fluid may be supplied to conduit 152 to cause conduit 150 tomove toward end wall 6. Similarly, a fluid may be supplied to conduit154 to cause conduit 150 to move toward end wall 4. Each of ends 155 and157 of conduit 150 may be formed like end 124 with a seal similar toseal 122.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, itis understood that the preferred design can be further modified oradapted following in general the principles of the invention andincluding but not limited to such departures from the present inventionas come within the known or customary practice in the art to which theinvention pertains. The claims are not limited to the preferredembodiment and have been written to preclude such a narrow constructionusing the principles of claim differentiation.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for removing material collected in a materialcollection container having a floor and at least one substantiallyvertically extending wall, said apparatus comprising: (a) a materialremoval assembly for removing material collected in the materialcollection container, said material removal assembly including a firstconduit and a second conduit, said first conduit being in telescopingrelationship with said second conduit to permit said first conduit tomove relative to said second conduit; and, (b) said material removalassembly further including a first material removal header configured toreceive material accumulating on the floor of the material collectioncontainer, said first material removal header being configured to directmaterial received by said first material removal header into said firstconduit, said first material removal header being configured to movewith said first conduit, said first material removal header including ahollow cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of said first materialremoval header, said hollow cavity having a lowermost portion and anuppermost portion, said first removal header includes a first inclinedsurface and a second inclined surface each being disposed in said hollowcavity and configured to facilitate movement of material from said firstmaterial header to said first conduit, said first inclined surfaceextending upwardly from said lowermost portion of said hollow cavity andsaid second inclined surface extending upwardly from said lowermostportion of said hollow cavity, said first inclined surface extendinginwardly toward said second inclined surface and said second inclinedsurface extending inwardly toward said first inclined surface, saidfirst inclined surface and said second inclined surface being spacedbelow said uppermost portion of said hollow cavity.
 2. An apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said first inclined surface is aplanar surface.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: (a)said second inclined surface is a planar surface.
 4. An apparatus as setforth in claim 3, wherein: (a) said first material removal headerincludes a connector having a first end and a second end, a first headersegment and a second header segment, said first inclined surface ispositioned between said first end and said second end of said connector.5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein: (a) said secondinclined surface is positioned between said first end and said secondend of said connector.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein:(a) said connector is substantially T-shaped, said first header segmentis connected to said first end of said connector and said second headersegment is connected to said second end of said connector.
 7. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) a substantiallyhorizontally extending inner surface extending between an upper portionof said first inclined surface and an upper portion of said secondinclined surface.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a)said material removal assembly further includes a fluid drive for movingsaid first conduit relative to said second conduit and means forpositioning said first material removal header above the floor of thematerial collection container and in close proximity of the floor of thematerial collection container.
 9. An apparatus for removing materialcollected in a material collection container having a floor and at leastone substantially vertically extending wall, said apparatus comprising:(a) a material removal assembly for removing material collected in thematerial collection container, said material removal assembly includinga first conduit and a second conduit, said first conduit being intelescoping relationship with said second conduit to permit said firstconduit to move relative to said second conduit; and, (b) said materialremoval assembly further including a first material removal headerconfigured to receive material accumulating on the floor of the materialcollection container, said first material removal header beingconfigured to direct material received by said first material removalheader into said first conduit, said first material removal header beingconfigured to move with said first conduit, said first material removalheader including means for facilitating movement of material received bysaid first material removal header into said first conduit, said meansfor facilitating movement of material includes a notch formed in abottom surface of said first material removal header.
 10. An apparatusas set forth in claim 9, wherein: (a) said first material removal headerincludes first and second ends, said first end of said first materialremoval header is disposed adjacent a first sidewall of the materialcollection container, said second end of said first material removalheader is disposed adjacent a second sidewall of the material collectioncontainer, said notch is disposed between said first end of said firstmaterial removal header and said second end of said first materialremoval header, said notch is disposed below a lowermost portion of saidfirst conduit.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, furtherincluding: (a) a support assembly for supporting said material removalassembly, said support assembly is operably associated with said notch.12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein: (a) said supportassembly includes a friction reducing member extending into said notchand a support member fixed relative to the floor of the materialcollection container, said friction reducing member being connected tosaid support member and configured to permit said first material removalheader to move along said support member upon movement of said firstconduit, said support member extending substantially parallel to saidfirst conduit.
 13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein: (a)said friction reducing member is formed from a polymeric material. 14.An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein: (a) said support memberis anchored to the floor of the material collection container.
 15. Anapparatus for removing material collected in a material collectioncontainer having a floor and first and second end walls, said apparatuscomprising: (a) a material removal assembly for removing materialcollected in the material collection container, said material removalassembly including a first conduit and a second conduit, said firstconduit being in telescoping relationship with said second conduit topermit said first conduit to move relative to said second conduit; (b)said material removal assembly further including a first materialremoval header configured to receive material accumulating on the floorof the material collection container, said first material removal headerbeing configured to direct material received by said first materialremoval header into said first conduit, said first material removalheader being configured to move with said first conduit; and, (c) saidmaterial removal assembly further including a support member configuredto extend between the first and second end walls of the materialcollection container, said support member having a first end and asecond end, said first material removal header being configured to ridealong said support member when said first material removal headertravels between the first and second end walls of the materialcollection container, said support member being spaced from said firstconduit and said second conduit, said first material removal headerhaving a recessed portion, said support member extends into saidrecessed ortion of said first material removal header.
 16. An apparatusas set forth in claim 15, further including: (a) an insert beingdisposed in said recessed portion of said first material removal header,said insert being configured to facilitate movement of said firstmaterial removal header along said support member.
 17. An apparatus forremoving material collected in a material collection container having afloor and at least one substantially vertically extending wall, saidapparatus comprising: (a) a material removal assembly for removingmaterial collected in the material collection container, said materialremoval assembly including a first conduit and a second conduit, saidfirst conduit being in telescoping relationship with said second conduitto permit said first conduit to move relative to said second conduit;and, (b) said material removal assembly further including a firstmaterial removal header having a hollow cavity configured to receivematerial accumulating on the floor of the material collection container,said first material removal header being configured to direct materialreceived in said first material removal header into said first conduit,said first material removal header being configured to move with saidfirst conduit, said first material removal header including means forfacilitating movement of material received by said first materialremoval header into said first conduit, said means for facilitatingmovement of material received by said first material removal header intosaid first conduit being disposed entirely within said first materialremoval header.
 18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein: (a)said means for facilitating movement received by said first materialremoval header into said first conduit includes at least a firstupwardly extending inner surface configured to direct material receivedby said first material removal header into said first conduit.
 19. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein: (a) said means forfacilitating movement received by said first material removal headerinto said first conduit includes at least a second upwardly extendinginner surface configured to direct material received by said firstmaterial removal header into said first conduit.
 20. An apparatus as setforth in claim 19, wherein: (a) said first upwardly extending innersurface is spaced from said second upwardly extending inner surface. 21.An apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein: (a) said first upwardlyextending inner surface forms a portion of an inner wall defining saidhollow cavity.
 22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein: (a)said second upwardly extending inner surface forms a portion of an innerwall defining said hollow cavity.
 23. An apparatus for removing materialcollected in a material collection container having a floor and at leastone substantially vertically extending wall, said apparatus comprising:(a) a material removal assembly for removing material collected in thematerial collection container, said material removal assembly includinga first conduit and a second conduit, said first conduit being intelescoping relationship with said second conduit to permit said firstconduit to move relative to said second conduit; and, (b) said materialremoval assembly further including a first material removal headerconfigured to receive material accumulating on the floor of the materialcollection container, said first material removal header beingconfigured to direct material received in said first removal header intosaid first conduit, said first material removal header being configuredto move with said first conduit, said first material removal headerhaving a first portion being disposed on a first side of said firstconduit and a second portion disposed on a side of said first conduitopposite of said first side, said first material removal header having afirst internal surface for facilitating movement of material from saidfirst portion to said first conduit and a second internal surface forfacilitating movement of material from said second portion to said firstconduit, said first internal surface being inclined inwardly toward saidsecond internal surface and said second internal surface being inclinedinwardly toward said first internal surface.
 24. An apparatus as setforth in claim 23, wherein: (a) said first internal surface forms aportion of an inner wall of said first material removal header.
 25. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein: (a) said second internalsurface forms a portion of an inner wall of said first material removalheader.
 26. An apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein: (a) saidfirst internal surface is a planar surface.
 27. An apparatus as setforth in claim 26, wherein: (a) said second internal surface is a planarsurface.
 28. An apparatus for removing material collected in a materialcollection container having a floor and at least one substantiallyvertically extending wall, said apparatus comprising: (a) a materialremoval assembly for removing material collected in the materialcollection container, said material removal assembly including a firstconduit and a second conduit, said first conduit being in telescopingrelationship with said second conduit to permit said first conduit tomove relative to said second conduit; and, (b) said material removalassembly further including a first material removal header configured toreceive material accumulating on the floor of the material collectioncontainer, said first material removal header being configured to directmaterial received in said first material removal header into said firstconduit, said first material removal header being configured to movewith said first conduit, said first material removal header having aT-shaped coupling member having a first end and a second end, a firstheader section and a second header section, said first header sectionbeing connected to said first end in a fluid tight manner and saidsecond header section being connected to said second end in a fluidtight manner, said means for facilitating movement being disposedentirely within said T-shaped coupling member.
 29. An apparatus as setforth in claim 28, wherein: (a) said means for facilitating movementincludes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, saidfirst inclined surface is spaced from said second inclined surface. 30.An apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein: (a) a substantiallyhorizontally extending inner surface extends between said first inclinedsurface and said second inclined surface.
 31. An apparatus as set forthin claim 29, wherein: (a) said first inclined surface is a planarsurface.
 32. An apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein: (a) saidsecond inclined surface is a planar surface.